The soft morning light filtered through the café windows, bathing the wooden floors in warm golden hues. Mackiah slowly opened his eyes, a faint scent of roasted coffee and vanilla lingering in the air. The blanket draped over him slid slightly as he sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
His eyes instinctively searched for Kyrell.
The café was quiet.
"Kyrell...?" Mackiah called out softly.
Just then, a familiar voice came from behind him. "Morning. Slept well?"
Mackiah turned to see Kyrell holding two steaming cups of tea, a gentle smile resting on his lips.
"Yeah," Mackiah replied with a soft smile, accepting the tea. "Thanks... for letting me stay."
Kyrell shrugged casually. "You looked like you needed a place to breathe. And don't forget that you're always welcome here."
They sat at the window booth. For a moment, they sipped their tea in silence, the world still.
In the following days, Mackiah became a regular visitor at the café-much like a 'part of the café'. With every passing moment, the bond between the four of them grew stronger. The once solitary café became a shared sanctuary. They laughed, bickered playfully, and enjoyed the smallest things—like family.
It was Christmas Eve, Mackiah stepped into the café, the bell above the door jingling. Kyrell looked up from the counter, surprised.
"You're here," Kyrell said. "I thought you'd be spending the day with your family."
Mackiah smiled, albeit a little sadly. "I only have my dad. My mom and sister passed away in an accident years ago. I was in the car too, but I was too young and shocked to even remember anything. My dad's too busy to make time for me, even on Christmas. So... I figured I'd come spend it with the people who make me feel like I belong."
Kyrell lowered his eyes. "I see..."
"What about you?" Mackiah asked.
Kyrell took a breath. "I lost my brother. My mother fell sick shortly after. I had to leave my father's side for her. It was safer that way... and after she passed, I just never went back."
Before the moment grew too heavy, Ivan barged in dramatically. "Well, he still has one dashing guy by his side who takes great care of him—me! The handsome, tall and amazing Ivan Hart! Isn't that good enough?"
"Yeah, good enough to knock me down!" Kyrell said mockingly.
"Geez, this guy is impossible!" said Ivan letting out a sigh. Alric giggled.
"Since all of us are here, why don't we spend the Christmas together?" Ivan asked, thrilled.
"Let's go to the amusement park! All of us, no excuses!" he declared.
Alric's eyes sparkled. "Really?! Yay!"
"I think I'll pass, you guys can go." Kyrell said plainly.
"I wasn't asking, I was ordering." Ivan wagged his finger.
"...Fine" Kyrell said with a sigh.
"Even better," Ivan added, "because Mackiah is going, right?"
Mackiah smiled at Kyrell. "Only if you're going too."
Kyrell hesitated, but eventually nodded. "Okay."
At The Theme Park-
The theme park was alive with lights and laughter. The four wandered through snow-dusted paths, trying out games and sharing cotton candy.
Mackiah insisted on dragging Kyrell into a few gentle rides.
Mackiah: "You really don't like crowds, do you?"
Kyrell didn't answer right away.
Kyrell: "Too many eyes. Too many things that can go wrong."
Mackiah (softly): "But… you still came."
Kyrell glanced sideways.
Kyrell: "Someone has to babysit you."
Mackiah chuckled quietly.
Alric's eyes sparkled as Ivan won a capybara plush at the claw machine.
Ivan: "Here, take it." he said handing out the plush toy to Alric.
Alric: "You're giving it to me? Didn't you win it?"
Ivan: "I won it for you. Besides, the capybara looks just like you. It's got brown fur and honey eyes much similar to yours."
Alric took the plush toy and hid behind it to avoid being caught due to his blush red cheeks.
As Ivan and Alric went to grab snacks, Mackiah tugged at Kyrell's sleeve.
Mackiah: "Ferris wheel? Ever been onone?"
Kyrell: "No."
Mackiah: "Let's change that."
Kyrell (suspicious):"Why do I feel like this is a trap?"
Mackiah: "Because it is. Come on."
He grabbed Kyrell's wrist. Kyrell rolled his eyes but let himself be tugged along. Ivan watched them go and laughed.
Ivan (cheeky):n"Well, looks like it's just us now, kitten."
Alric (nervous): "Um… should we try the merry-go-round?"
Ivan: "Nah. Too tame. Haunted house?"
Alric (eyes widening):"I-I think I'll pass—"
Ivan (teasing):"You scared, little prince?"
Alric bit his lip but eventually nodded. Ivan beamed and dragged him towards the haunted house. Inside, Alric flinched at every sound. Ivan kept making light-hearted comments:
Ivan: "See? We came out, it was nothing. That zombie looked like my old math teacher—hey, Alric, it's just a—"
He turned-Alric wasn't there! Panic surged.
"Alric?!" Ivan called out, rushing back into the dark house.
Then-in a dim corner, he spotted a small, trembling figure.
Alric sat curled up, eyes shut, hands over his ears, mumbling something under his breath.
Ivan (kneeling beside him): "Alric! Hey—hey, look at me. It's me."
Alric lunged into his arms like a lost child.
Alric (voice cracking): "I-Ivan! Where were you…? Where did you go…?"
Tears rolled down his cheeks. Ivan held him tight.
Ivan (wiping Alric's cheeks): "I'm here now. I'm sorry. I'll never leave you alone like that again. I promise."
Alric buried his face in Ivan's chest, trembling.
High above, the Ferris wheel paused at its peak. The city glimmered below.
Mackiah: "This is... calming."
Kyrell (after a pause): "I don't like heights. Or confined spaces."
Mackiah (turns to him): "Then why did you come?"
Kyrell: "Because you asked."
Mackiah wasn't expecting such an honest answer from Kyrell.
"Do you ever miss home?" he asked.
Kyrell hesitated. "I miss what it could've been. But not what it became."
"You're not alone anymore," Mackiah said, gently taking Kyrell's hand. "You have Ivan, Alric and most importantly, ME."
Kyrell looked down at their entwined fingers. "You're the first person who makes me feel that."
Their eyes locked. For a moment, time paused.
Kyrell called Ivan to meet them at the east end. Fireworks lit the night sky as the four stood together, awe in their eyes. The place was soon crowded and filled with screams of joy. Ivan and Alric were pushed to the other side, far from Kyrell and Mackiah.
"I've never seen fireworks before," Mackiah whispered. "They're beautiful!"
Kyrell, eyes fixed on him, murmured, "Yeah. I didn't know either... that I'd get to see something this beautiful."
Mackiah turned to find Kyrell already looking at him. With hearts thudding, Mackiah leaned in and...kissed him. Kyrell, surprised, kissed him back, deeper, with everything he couldn't say aloud. Mackiah closed his eyes as Kyrell brushed through his golden blonde hair and caressed his cheeks. He didn't want to stop. Neither Kyrell.
And like that, the whole world blurred as sparks between two hearts bloomed under the fireworks...
Back At The Café-
Kyrell sat, dazed, zoned out. Still not being able to snap out of it. He KISSED! He KISSED MACKIAH!
The warmth of Mackiah's soft lips still lingered on Kyrell's. Kyrell touched his lips reliving that moment again and again! "I must be insane!" He claimed scratching the back of his head.
"You okay bro?" Ivan's voice interrupted his sweet fantasy. "You've been sitting like that since we came back, are you sick?"
"Nah, I-I'm f-fine! I'm just tired, I better go get some rest." Kyrell said avoiding Ivan's eyes.
"Okay." Ivan nodded as Kyrell walked away. "Did he just...stutter? What's wrong with him?"
In his bed, Mackiah kept swirling around not being able to put an end to his wild imaginations. He kept punching the air and kicking the pillows as he still couldn't process the fact that he ended up kissing Kyrell!
"His lips are quiet soft unlike those cold icy eyes. How can someone kiss...like THAT? That good?!" He paused.
"Ugh! Just what am I even thinking about?! Get a hold of yourself, Mac! I know I like him but...why did I kiss him out of the blue? What would he think of me? Well, it's not like he pulled back either, he kissed me back too! But that doesn't add up as an excuse. How do I face him from now? What if he doesn't like me? What if he stops being friends with me? Will he ignore me? Oh for Christ's sake! Mackiah, just what the hell have you done?!" he yelled out tossing in his bed.
Back At The Café- Alric's Room
Ivan placed a steaming cup in front of him.
Ivan (gently): "Drink. It'll help."
Alric nodded but said nothing.
Ivan (sits beside him): "You were shaking... in the haunted house."
A pause.
Ivan: "You don't have to talk about it. But if you want to… I'm here."
Alric (softly): "…It's dark places. I hate them. I was locked up as a kid… I…"
His hands trembled again. Ivan pulled him close, one hand wrapped protectively around his shoulders.
Ivan (low): "Shh. You're safe. You don't have to relive it unless you want to."
Alric nodded, grateful but overwhelmed.
Later, as Ivan got up to leave—
Alric (quietly, tugging his hoodie): "Can you… stay tonight? Just for tonight?"
Ivan began laying blankets on the floor, but Alric said, "It's too cold. Sleep with me on the bed."
Ivan (wary): "Warning: I cling to anything in reach when I'm asleep."
Alric (mocks):
"What are you? A koala?"
Ivan: "Exactly."
Alric:
"Well, you can cling onto the capybara plushie."
Ivan:
"That's too small for me. You would be just right."
Alric (quietly, but sincerely):
"I don't mind if you hold me."
Ivan: "…You sure? I mean—"
Alric (interrupting): "Yes. Doesn't matter if you hold me or—"
Before Alric could finish, Ivan grabbed him, locking him close, chests pressed together. Alric's eyes widened. Their breaths mingled.
Ivan(smirking):"You're really okay with this, Honeydrop?"
Alric (face scarlet, heart pounding):"…!"
Alric's cheeks flushed. Ivan chuckled, loosening his grip—"Look at your tomato red-" but Alric clutched at his shirt, not letting go. He pulled Ivan even closer, barely leaving any space between them.
"But are you okay with this?" he said staring into Ivan's ruby eyes. Ivan was left speechless. His cheeks burned. Alric fell asleep in his arms.
Ivan brushed his hair, whispering, "Damn...you have no idea how crazy you make me, Honeydrop."
INT. VIRELLAN UNDERWORLD – Throne Chamber – Night
A grand underground chamber lit by dim golden sconces. Zeus — sat slouched in his obsidian throne. His once-imposing presence now flickered like a dying flame. But his eyes... they're as sharp and dangerous as ever.
He coughed softly, wiping the blood discreetly with a black cloth as the large iron doors creaked open.
Aurek, Caelon, and Nerik walked in together — dressed finely, expressions carved in masks of courtesy. Vultures in human form.
Aurek (smiling): "You look… well, old friend."
Zeus (dry): "Then you need better eyes."
They chuckled politely, approaching slowly.
Caelon: "When we heard you were ill, we rushed here."
Zeus (mocking): "To make sure I'm still breathing?"
Nerik (calmly): "Now, now… we came to show our support. You're still the spine of Aetherion Kronos. The underworld bends to you."
Zeus: "No. It bends because I've allowed it to. Don't mistake silence for surrender."
There was a beat of tense silence.
Aurek: "You've always been dramatic."
Zeus raised slowly. Even weakened, the sheer weight of his presence still made the air shift.
Zeus (coldly): "I know why you're here. You smell the blood in the water. But I am not dead yet." He paused, letting his words cut through the air."Be careful, Aurek. Caelon. Nerik. Sharks feeding too early only choke on the bone."
The three shared polite smiles — but their eyes betrayed them.
Nerik (bowing): "Of course. We only want what's best… for Virellan."
Zeus (smirks):"Then pray I don't live long enough to see what you define as 'best'."
As they leave, Zeus's breath faltered again. A hand gripped his chest briefly — pain, real and suffocating. But his mind stayed sharp.
He knew something was stirring.
And even on a crumbling throne… he was still the god who ruled it all.